Damn.. rear control arms are expensive...need rear upper ball joints

[Curtis]

My dad had a wheel bearing noise in the rear of his 02.
Sure enough, you could shake the wheel. Both sides.
So he's in it for 2 rear wheel bearings.

He dropped the truck off, and as he got home they called back, the rear upper control arms need replacing too.

Im assuming this is because the ball joints and arms are one unit? I really cant see a control arm going.
Something about having to destroy the upper ctrl arm as the ball joints are badly corroded?

Locally, the control arms are $400 each and he needs both sides.
Here in Orlando they are $360.
Direct ford parts has them for $260 but then Id still have to ship them to me then ship them to Canada + the exchange rate.. so its not worth the hassle.

Is there a way to change just the ball joints for the rear uppers? So far I have not found anyone selling a rear ball joint alone.

And to top it off, a rear spring cracked too.
He's probably looking at $1500 today.. that sucks 2 weeks before he is coming here for vacation.

 

[xlt03]

The upper ball joint boots probably got torn when performing rear wheel bearings. Ball joints are part of the upper control arm and is not serviced as a separate item.

I had similar experience in doing my rear bearings. Tore the boot but ever thing else was fine. Been trying to find a replacement boot but to no avail. Anyone has an idea to get just the boot?

 

[Curtis]

Update
========
The mechanic that is doing the work for dad is a good friend and well trusted.
He ordered the upper control arms from the dealer (dealer only item it seems) and paid air freight to get them in quickly.

That was 3 weeks ago. We've called the dealer to see what the hold up is and apparently these items have to be made to order? WTF?

I need to find a source here in FL for him. He's coming here on vacation next week and can bring them home.

 

[Curtis]

I phoned around to several dealers.. locally and far away and all have the same story
Ford is switching suppliers because they were used by GM and Chyrsler too. So to prevent a sudden loss of supply the are looking for a new supplier for the upper arms/balljoints.

one dealer I spoke to said he's been waiting on these since November, didnt even have to look them up.

So... Im stuck.
Im thinking I'll get some southern used ones... LKQ has the whole L and R suspension for $155 each. Will probably go that route...

Imagine having to get used ball joints!!

 

[jrford]

that sucks, i would think anything with a good rubber seal still should last a few, might be the cheapest way out
this is for an '04? so is mine i wonder if its the same for the fronts?

 

[Curtis]

that sucks, i would think anything with a good rubber seal still should last a few, might be the cheapest way out
this is for an '04? so is mine i wonder if its the same for the fronts?

No this is for my fathers 02...But suspensions were the same from 02 and 04. I think differences start with the 4th gens.
I think you can get fronts with no problems. plus there is a newer thread on here somewhere I read yesterday where a guy is going to try and press out the ball joints and press in new.

 

[LoKo498]

Where's the link to change the rear upper control arm? I need to change out my bushing. It's loose & has play.

 

[imp]

Where's the link to change the rear upper control arm? I need to change out my bushing. It's loose & has play.

5-1/2 years old since last thread........I'd recommend the Ford Shop Manual. imp

 

[kifferarri]

As a mechanic up in the great white north (Canada), I have personally replaced the ball joints in the rear upper control arms... Moog makes them, in the problem solver line. Moog also makes the lower control arm bushings in the rear as well (if anyone is curious). I have both in my 2002 explorer.

Just thought I would update some of the info.